mm      No.  61 

HALTING  ON  THIS  MflF  JORDAN. 

OR, 

SHALL-YOUR  BRETHREN  GO  TO  WAR,  AND  SHALL  YE 
SIT  HERE? 


BV  REV.  B.  MANLY,  JR.,  D.  D.,  GREENVILLE,  8,  C. 


Whon  the  Israelites  had  conquered  a  part  of  the  promised 
land,  that  part  cm  the  Eastern  side  of  the  Jordan,  they  re- 
in a  mod  many  months  eneamped  in  the  plains  of  Moab,  whence 
they  could  look  over  to  the  richer  and  more  populous  region 
which  was  still  to  be  subdued,  and  which  constituted  the 
choice  find  chief  portion  of  their  promised  inheritance. 

While  there,  the  children  of  Reuben  and  Gad  applied  to 
have  their  portions  assigned  them  at  once,  in  this  part  of  the 
country.  The  land  was  well  adapted  for  pasture.  These 
tribes  were  specially  rich  in  flocks  and  herds,  aud  they  were, 
desirous  to  secure  so  suitable  a  settlement.  . 

Moses  considered  that  this  was  the  suggestion  of  insolence, 
avarice,  of 'cowardice, — or  all  three;  and  proceeded  accord 
ingly  to  admonish  them  strictly.  It  was  not  sUange  that  such 
suspicions  should  rrse  in  his  mind.  There  had  been  similar 
shrinking  beiore  from  their  cestiny,  and  their  duty.  Bis 
whole  experience  had  evinced  the  stubbornness  and  perver- 
sity ot  the  people  whom  lie  had  been  called  to  lead.  He 
appeals  to  them  by  the  memory  of  the  sins  and  the  punish- 
ments, of  their  fathers.  Happy  are  we,  if  a  stronger  appeal 
can  be  made  to  us,  by  the  memory  of  our  fathers'  righteous- 
ness and  blessings.  tSad  is  it,  when  the  righteous  depart,  and 
a  generation  rises  up  worse  than  their  fathers. 


It  was  to  be  remembered  that  the  other  tribes  bad  receiv- 
ed no  lot,  had  not  yet  conquered  their  part ;  and  they  might 
©omplain,  if  one,  aftar  another  of  the  tribes  were  Battled 
down,  while  they  had  still  to  fight  for  theirs,  a  land  unseen 
and  untrodden  as  yet  by  them*  Moreover  it  was  a.  bad  pre- 
cedent. The  land,  it  had  been  understood,  .was  to  be  divided 
by  lot;  and  if  these  might  select  and  claim  their  share,  so 
might  others,  so  might, all.  And,  worse  than  all.  it  looked 
like  disregard  of  the  main  central  region,  the  true  Land  of  Pro-  j 
mise,  like  distrust  of  the  power  of  God,  to  give  them  the  whole 
land,  like  a  breach  of  the  compact  implied  in  their  setting  out 
together  to  conquer  the  whole  land.  "And  so  Moses  presses 
them  with  the  inquiry—'*  Shall  vour  brethren  go  to  war,  and 
-shall  ye  sit  here?"  and  with  the  fearful  warning—'4.  Be  sure 
sin  shall  find  you  out.-' 

They  protested  that  They  had  no  intention  to  commit  the 
sin  ne  supposed.  They  did  net  wish  to  take.up  their  abode 
leaving  the  rest  of  the  tribe  with  diminished  forces,  and  dis- 
contented hearts  to  go  on,  in  discouragement',  to  attempt  the 
conquest  of  the  remainder  of  theland.  "They  desired  only  to  lo- 
cate their  families,  and  leave  their  herds"  with  the  younger 
people  as  sufficient  garrison  for  the  fortified  towns;  but  the 
armed  menwere  ready  to  go  over  with  their  brethren  to  the 
war,  and  aid  them  in  reconquering  the  land,  in  which  their 
fathers  had  dwelt.  The  proposition  in  this  form  is  accepted 
by  Moses  and  their  wish  is  gratified. 

It  is  doubtful  whetherthis  was  their  original  purpose,  or 
■whether  they  were  really  guilty  of  the  design  which  Moses 
■charged  upoir  them.  It  is  certain,  however,  that  a  similar  sin 
is  commHted  now,  and  the  analogous  errors  of  our  own  time 
may  admit  of  profitable  consideration. 

.  <  A  good  deal  hasbeen  said,  sometimes  in  the  language  of  in- 
dignant denunciation,  sometimes  in  the  more  caustic  phrases 
of  bitter  ridicule,  of  those  prudent  "keepers  at  honie"  in  these 
times  of  general  peril,  who  are  ready  to  avail  themselves  of 
tlie  flimsiest  pretext  for  exemption,  and  to  slink  behind  feign- 
ed diseases,  or  trades  and  professions  long  abandoned,  to  shield 
them  from  an  honorable  discharge  of  their  duty  to  the  country 


It  is  not  my  intention,  nor  is  it  necessary,  that  I  address  a 
word  to  this  class.  They  are  not  in  ther  army — waere  ti>is 
tract  will  find  its- circulation. 

There  is  another  war,  however,  in  which  we  are  engaged 
with  a  deadlier  foe  than  the  Yankees— a  war  which  demands 
and  deserves  the  concentration  of  every  man^s  powers,  and 
which  must  be  prosecuted  with  unanimous  zeal,  and  with  pa- 
tient endurance  to  the— not  bitter,  but— glorious  end.  And 
yet  there  are  those  who  are  ready,  in  this  Spiritual  warfare,  to 
halt  on  this  side  of  Jordan,  to  leave  to  others  the  toiR  and 
the  honors  of  these  celestial  victories,  to  sit  still  while  their 
brethren  go  to  war.  I  am  afraid  there  are  some  of  these  mtne 
army.  .  , 

1.  There  are  some  who  "  discourage  the  heart"  of  their  breth- 
ren. Everything,  in  war,  depends  on  keeping  up  the  spirit  of 
the  army.  Defeat  by  overwhelming  forces  is  nothing.  Good 
soldiers  "can  rally  and  try  it  again.  But  if  the  spirit  is  broken, 
whether  by  treacheries,  by  hardships  and  abuse,  by  multiplied 
desertions,  by  discouraging  speeches  from  generals  or  com- 
rades,  failure  is  almost  inevitable.  Now  there  are,  among 
those  who  profess  to  be  Christians,  .some  croakers,  who  never 
sing  except  to  a  mournful  tune,  some  icebergs  that -radiate  noth- 
ing°except  chilliness.  Their  influence,  so  far  as  they  have  any, 
is  of  a  benumbing,  deadning,  freezing  kind.  Like  followers 
who  hang  about  the  baggage  trains  of  advancing  regiments, 
always  watching  for  a  ride,  they  are  always  ready  to  be 
helped,  always  expecting  to  be  trfken  care  of  and  comforted, 
but  never  dreaming  that  they  might  help  01  take  oare  of  any 
body  else.  They  have  to  be  left  behind,  sitting  still,  or  even 
worse,  holding  back  whenever  their  brethren  go  forth  to  war. 
Now  such  people  are  accountable,  not  only  for  the  harm  they 
have  individually  done,  and  for  the  good  they  ought  to  have 
done,  wKich  they  omitted,  but  also  for  the  evil  influence  ex- 
erted on  the  others,  and  the  good  in  them  which  has  been 
paralyzed.  ;     " 

Are  you  one  of  these?  Do  you  at  still  when  the  trumpet 
sounds  ?  When  you  see  any  one  trying  to  advance  the  cause  of 
Jesus,  do  vou  think  he  wcrtild  be  strengthened,  or  discouraged 


true  ztii  Je  llhnZ      *  *$*  dl8f  ouraging  to  those  who  with 

sumect  enown  by  those  who  profess  to  be  Christians      ThpW 

S  ttS  ?  h'  ala8'  Wlth  Painful  S^^-Are  you 

2.   7%ere  are  some  who  attend  to  their  axon  commences  and  r>er- 

offL  fi  7  °De  else' bufc  wit]h  entire  forgetfulne?s  of  its 
SenitefanVSsdi^l1  "^^     **  ^  ^  th^S 

times  more  anxiety  S^&Sen^S  MffE 

IsXfnot  eo^e ti  the-  tn?f-  Pr°greHS  °f  the  -S- o?  Christ 
exotnl  to  hTl  I  Q"  a  Wl1  h"gnees  t0  buiId  UP  at  another 
Rd    i™  £ ?fP  °ne  Pr0Di,sing  enterprise  lest  the  magni- 

Perhir,^  )?C?0<  8°m?  ***  ^C  be  ^mini^ed! 
irf  to.  ff '  2  ubln  8  oase- fl,ere  was  eomethingof  pride  in  M.f  <S~ 
ieve  "  ofehpf8VbnnT°^rel;bllthad  ^  ^  bLh-righ  ^3 
■  hntol  •      ■  tS'  Judah  and  EPh""-m  especially,  had  risen  ^ 

notexpectin  an  equitable  division,  fchebest  lot:  there/ore  to  sow 

the  Hbernacle.  Now  religion  has  prior  claims  r,  ,1!  Z 
It  demands  in  every, heart  the  first  place,  the  best  place;  but 
S?en  aJe  «T*  l?  *#  ?***  »»  other  things,  and  then  the 
Kingdom  of  God  and  his  righteousness.  NoV  both  classes 
■^^^^^^i^^VVOBOwereverBe  this  usual 
orcier,  and  adopt  the  one  which  Jesus  enjoins.  Then  we  shall 
obtain  the  righteousness  of  God,  and  all  other  needful  thin** 


shall  be  addad  besides,  The  seiftsh,  worldly  oboice  is  aft«n, 
as  in  the  ca3«  of  Beuben  and  Gad,  shown  to  have  b*«n  least 
truly  wise.  First  located  indeed,  they  were  but  first  displaced 
afterwards,  first  relapsing  into  idolatry,  first  carried  into 
captivity,  first  passing  into  extinction.  Severed  gradually  in 
interest  and  in  sympathies,  from  those  on  the  other  side  o( 
the  river,  attempting  a  miserable  neutrality,  when  enemies 
assailed  the  common  cause,  and  buying  inglorious  and  fatal 
peace  instead  of  daring  and  winning  in  honorable  warfare, 
their  history  remains  a  warning  of  what  awaits  those  who 
hang  back  when  common  duty  demands  general  sacrifices. 

Now,  that  religion  demands  some  sacrifices,  some  self 
denial,  some  energy,  no  one  can  deny.  Its  rewards  cannot  be 
obtained  er^cept  at  such  a  price :  nor  is  this  strange.  Nothing 
else  that  is  valuable  is  attainable  without  effort.  Alas,  there 
are  many  who  are  too  indolent  to  be  saved,  too  inert  to  re- 
ceive a  heavenly  crown,  who  sit  still  when  others  are  pressing 
on  to  the  prize,  who  love^their  ease  so  well  as  to  iose  their 
souls. 

3.  There  are  those  w\o  stop  short  in  Christian  progress,  as  if  all 
the  loork  were  accomplished.  They  have  been  just  converted, 
perhaps,  and  conclude  that  now  the  important  work  is  clone. 
It  is  a  mistake.  It  is  just  begun.  They  have  only  enlisted. 
They  have  yet  to  learn  the  use  of  their  weapons,  to  acquire, 
by  patient  exercise,  skill,  rigor,  endurance;  and  then,  this  is 
only  preliminary  to  actual  engagements,  and  real  triumphs. 

Or  possibly,  they  are  Christians  who  have  lost  the  warmth 
of  their  first  'ovc,  and  who  have  now  begun  to  feel  well  satis- 
lied  with  themselves  just  when  there  is  greatest  reason  for  self 
reproach  and  self  condemnation.  They  are  as  good  as  they 
need  to  be,  as  good  as  they  are  expected  to  be,  as  good— yes 
as  good  as  they  now  want  to  be.  Sad  case!  Their  brethren 
are  warring  with  all  their  might  against  the  sins  that  still- 
annoy,  but  Satan  has  lulled  them  into  a  delusive  calm,  a  fatal 
slumber.  They  are  sitting  still,  while  their  foundations  are 
crumbling  beneath  them. 

Incessant  vigilance  is  the  price  of  success  in  human  warfare, 
It  is  even  more  so  in  the  spiritual,  as  our  enemies  are  mors 


watchful,  eager  and  powerful.  There  must  b|.^^ffe 
gression  on  ttie  army  of  Satan.  Every  birth  adds  one  to  the 
ranks  of  evil:  the  hosts  of  .God  are  losing  by  every  death  an- 
can  only  be  replenished  by  conversions,  by  winning  over  our 

opponents.  -  .       T   .  „„-«*£  tn  he 

4.  There  are  some  who  are  always  leaving  tteir  own  wo  A too. 
done  by  others.  It  is  so  in  wordly  matters  :  it  is  so  «  spiritual 
matters.  Every  one  has  some  work  to  do  m  this  world.  It 
JTot,  he  would  not  be  left  here,  if  he  is  a  ready  concerted  and 
fit  for  heaven.  He  would  be  taken  thither  at  once  ^the 
Master  has  appointed  him,  his  time,  his  place,  and  his  worK 

t0There  is  a  curious  feeling  among  many that  th^fe  a  great 
deal  to  be  done  in  the  Redeemer's  cause,  very  ^^^  °? 
done,  in  fact  absolutely  indispensable,  and  a  very  firm  con 
yiction  that  somebody  ought  to  do  it,  without  ^ J™  once 
occurring  to  them  that  they  have  a  share  in  the  responsibility. 
This necessary  labor  is  to  be  done  by  certain  nameless  per- 
st1:, Xhom7 all  they  know  is,  ^^£*^*^ 
ber.  Christians  ought  to  do  so  and  so  It  would  be  a  shame 
for  the  church  to  do  without  this,  or  ^.^^^If, 
yet,  if  all  christians  did  exactly  as  much,  in  proporti on  to  their 
ifeiiity,  to  promote  these  desirable  .ends,    as   they    do,   there 

-  would  be  nothing  done.  volio-mn 

No  man  can  possibly  do  another  man's  work  in  ieh|  on. 
I  do  not  mean  merely  that  no  man  can  do  another  s  thinking, 
praying,  believing  for  him;  that  no  man  can  repent  tor 
another's  sins,  or  exercise  love  and  reverence  "^?*  °  £; 
place.  But  even  those  external  acts,  m  which  it  seems mort 
reasonable  that  the  'extra  energy  of  one  may  SupPjT^de. 
ficiences  occasioned  by  another's  indolence,  even  those  muse 
be  done  by  each  one  for  himself.  *\  /  ..h;«i™niiTit 

Let  us  see  bow  this  is.     Suppose  there  is  a  eertai«%mount 
■of  visiting  the  sick,  of  personal  effort  with   the   «^°nyerted 
of  other  christian   labors,    which  devolves   on   a   particmai 
church,  or  on  a  number  of  christians  casually  thrown  together, 

-  as  in  an  army.     ttod  knows  how  much  it  is,  and  he  has  por- 
tioned it  out,  so  as  to  require  of  each  one  just  as  much  as  hi| 


J  lie—-  no  more—no  less.  ^gad  he  has  told  us  how  much?  this 
is,  .  He  requires  of  each  of  us,  to  serve  and  love  him  with  all 
the  heart,  soul,  mind,  strength.  No  one  can  do  more  than 
this.  Now,  one  man  flinches  from  his  duty,  neglects  it,  over- 
looks it,  and  thinks  to  shift  it  on  another's  shoulders.  That 
is  impossible.  Your  neighbor  cannot  possibly  undertake  one 
jot  or  tittle  of  your  work,,  because  his  hands  are  full — or  ought 
to  be — of  his  own.  If  you  neglect  it,  itgoes  undone,  necessari- 
ly undone — undone  forever. 

Every  moment  wasted,  every  opportunity  lost  of  doing  good, 
every  favorable  opening  neglected,  not  only  returns  not  to  you, 
but  offers  itself  to  no  other,  II  is  gone.  Other's  may  come 
to  be  in  like  manner  neglected,  and  in  like  manner  to  pass 
away  ;  but.these  come  no  more  to  you,  or  to  any- 
Good  men  do,  indeed,  sometimes  by  neglecting  their  own 
proper  work,  attempt  to  supply  the  place  left  vacant  by  the 
folly  or  negligence  of  others,  but  they  leave  their  own  place 
vacant,  in  part  and  for  a  time  at  least,  in  so  doing.  It  is  a 
painful  and  lamentable  thing  to  see  faithful  and  true  men 
almost  overwhelmed  with  the  cast  oil  and  neglected  burdens 
of  other  men,  which  they  are  trying  to  bear,  because  they 
find  their  own  efforts  to  do  good  hampered  by  the  omissions 
and  deficiences  of  their  associates,  and  their  way  clogged  up 
by  the  undone  duties  others,have  left  behind  them. 

There  is  a  great  work  to  be  done  for  the  salvation  of  the 
men  in  these  Southern  armies,  a  work  which  for  many  of  them 
must  be  done  soon,  or  not  at  all,  a  -work  which  will  bear  on 
all  the  interests  of  our  widely  extended  country,  into  which 
ere  long  these  picked  men  of  every  district  will  be  returning 
to  season  all  circles  with  their  influence,  and  to  bless  every 
community  with  the  example  of  their  virtues,  or  curse  the 
laud  with  the  contagion  of  their  vices.  It  has  been  often  said, 
and  truly,  that  there  never,  was  an  army  like  ours.  No 
sweepings  of  our  streets,  no  floating  froth,  nor  sunken  dregs 
of  our  population  made  it  up  ;  but  our  best,  our  noblest,  well 
nigh  our  all,  are  there.  And,  if  this  be  true,  never  was  such 
a  field  for  usefulness  opened  before  mortal  man.    , 

To  this  work  of  evangelizing  the  army,  every  christian  in  it  id 


8 

specially  invited.  Chaplains,  eolportuers,  missionaries,  all 
may  do  their  utmost,  and  yet  there  is  room.  Some  are  faith 
fully  trying  to  do  their  duty.  What  are  you  doing  ?  Are  you— 
can  you  be  sitting  still ?  They  owe  the  Lord  no  more  than 
you.  They  owe  the  souls  of  men  no  more  than  you.  Why 
should  they  engage  in  the  work  of  the  Lord,  and  you  not  ?  Tf 
it  is  regarded  as  toilsome  and  onerous,  should  they  bear  it  all  ? 
]  fit  pays  back  rich  spiritual  profit,  and  real  happiness,  ought 
they  lo  enjoy  it  exclusively?  If  the  land  to  be  won  is  rich, 
fertile,  glorious,  will  ye  sit  idly  here,  while  they  go  and  gain 
it! 

What  has  been  said  so  far,  applies  mainly  to  such  as  pro- 
fess religion.  Have  the  unconverted  no  interest  here  too  ?  It 
is  for  your  soul  that  many  are  striving  and  praying.  Shall 
others  be  concerned  for  you,  and  you  unconcerned  for  your- 
self? Shall  they  enter  into  the  combat  for  your  deliverance, 
while  you  stand  coolly  by,  neutral,  indiff&renl? 

Will  you  be  satisfied  to  take  the  land  tfeis  side  of  Jonlai*. 
the  fair  but  deceitful  pleasures  of  this  world,  for  your  portion, 
and  give  up  a  hope  a;-d  a  home' beyond  the  grave?  Alas! 
How  soon  shall  you  be  compelled  to  leave  them  !  Be  sure  your 
sin  will  find  you  out  If  not  before,  you  will  lament  vpur 
wretched  choice  when  you  arc  called  lo  pass  over  Jordan,  with 
no  kind  hand  to  divide  the  waves.  Ere  you  are  settled  in  your 
boasted  possessions,  ere  your  houses  have  become  warmed  by 
your  presence,  you  may  be  summoned  away  to  another  house, 
that  appointed  for  all  living.  Or  you  may  see  your-  mistake 
earlier.  You  may  choose,  as  Lot ;  the  fair  and  fertile  plains 
of  Sodom,  and  live  to  see  it  desolate  and  blackened  with  the 
curse  of' God.  No  possessions  are  secure  enough,  no  wealth 
ample  enough  to  give  true  happiness  without  the  favor  of  God. 
And  with  that,  one  can  have  peace  passing  all  understanding, 
no  matter  "what  his  earthly  lot.  "Seek  first  the  kingdom  of 
God  and  his  righteousness,  and  all  these  things  shall  be  added 
unto  vou." 


